Halloween during Covid.

[MontanaMama]

It’s my favorite holiday hands down. It takes me a couple very full days to get the outside of my house decorated and lit up each year. I have done this for the 25 years I’ve lived in this home. It’s a sea of purple, green and orange lights...ghosts, skeletons, ghouls, witches, a steaming cauldron, a graveyard, a whole bunch of jack-o-lanterns...I love it ALL. I change it a little each year...the challenge is to get all the lights to run off of one switch. My neighbors love it. Each night of the show, kiddo’s come from all up and down the street to stand out front and look at the display. Sometimes I go out and visit with them and we talk about costumes, favorite candies and the upcoming big night. They know I’ll have full size candy bars for them and a mini bottle for the adults walking them around. There are kids who trick or treated at my house 20 years ago that bring their own children now. Halloween night, we have a bonfire in the front yard of the neighbors house across the street and celebrate the holiday...AND my birthday...with a cocktail or two and talk about the long winter ahead. It’s so much fun.

So, you get the picture. It’s a big deal to me...and this isn’t a normal year, I get that. If I had a little one, I don’t think I would want them to trick or treat during a pandemic. I’m not really sure I want kiddos from all over my ‘hood on my front porch this year either. If I decorate like I always do, it seems like an invitation for people to come...because it is and has been for a quarter century. Do I skip this year? My gut says that I should. I’ve floated that thought to a couple neighbors and they look at me with horror when I tell them I’m thinking of taking a year off.

Am I looking at this correctly? Right now, in town, we have 36 active cases...that we KNOW of. I anticipate that number growing if school officials decide to send all the kids back to school together in the next couple weeks. Right now, just half the kids go for in person learning at the same time.

I don’t see a way to do it safely. Your thoughts? 👻 🦇

[Phoenix61]

1. Halloween is made for masks!

Pass out paper straws with the adult treats. People can drive by to see the lights.

[Laffy Kat]

2. What about simply scaling-down this year?

Just one or two strings of lights and a pumpkin or two? Then, next year when (please, god) people have been vaccinated, you can go all-out again? I totally understand. Rituals are important to us humans.

[Siwsan]

3. I am anticipating the township putting a ban on trick or treating, this year

If not, I might buy a bag and put a small amount out in a bowl, in case anyone comes buy but I'm pretty sure I'll be eating that candy, so I'll buy something I really like.

Last year it was a relatively nice evening, I bought lots of candy but ended up with very very few kids stopping by.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. They can safely trick or treat, so long as they wear a mask.

Not just a decorative face covering, but the kind of mask we all need to be wearing. Stay in small groups and do social distancing. The treats won't need to be quarantined or wiped down, because the virus doesn't spread on surfaces. All of the constant sanitizing and cleaning is unnecessary. Just wash your hands properly and frequently, wear your mask properly, meaning make sure your nose is covered, and don't pull it down to talk to people.

[MontanaMama]

5. Interesting.

Your post encourages me.

[LisaL]

18. What you are saying is not accurate.

Here is what cdc says. Not the main way the virus spreads is not the same as virus doesn't spread on surfaces.

"There is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and how it spreads. Coronaviruses are thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or packaging. However, it may be possible that people can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads."
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Spread

[Wicked Blue]

6. Some places do Trunk or Treat

People drive their cars to a parking lot, open their trunks and hand out candy to the dressed up kids. People often decorate their car trunks.

A modified version:

A small neighborhood can do this for their kids and place candy on tables, spaced well apart. The kids are only allowed to touch the piece of candy they want. This limits the number of participants, people know one another, everything can be spaced at least 6 feet apart. And you don't have the incessant doorbell ringing that sets my 3 dogs howling like banshees.

[Happy Hoosier]

7. I'm planning my most elaborate display ever.

My plan right now is to put bowls out for the children to take some treats without contact. All subject to change of course, but if Trick or atreating is cancelled, I still plan to put up a nice display to get in the “spirit” [Muwahahahahaha!) and entertain some friends and neighbors.

[Olafjoy]

8. We are the same as you!!

Huge amounts of lights and decorations and elaborately carved pumpkins. Full-sized candy and beverages for adults. Hubs and I have almost been laughing about how this is going to work, if at all. Do we put down a tape-outlined square 6 ft from the door with a sign that says “stand here” and wear gloves and toss things to the kiddos? However it works, it is going to be a little weird. I was also thinking of using tongs to take the candy out of the boxes, showing the parents that I am not touching it prior to tossing it. 🎃🎃🤖🤖💀💀🍭🍭🍫🍫🍬🍬

[MontanaMama]

9. Maybe there is a way to do it.

I like how you think.

[blaze]

10. What about one of those grabber, reacher thingies.... (sorry about the crazy long link)

Like this? https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-FitPlus-Premium-Reacher-Warranty/dp/B07T3HTBD9/ref=asc_df_B07T3HTBD9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366301066524&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11404094041238430987&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028776&hvtargid=pla-876247087117&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=76237478156&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366301066524&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11404094041238430987&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028776&hvtargid=pla-876247087117

[MontanaMama]

11. I've got something very similar.

I think I can decorate it to make it look scary! I knew I’d find inspiration on DU.

[blaze]

12. Wish you were my neighbor!!!

Had a neighbor years ago that always went all out for Halloween. Sound effects, fog rolling off the front porch, wire overhead that a witch rode by on... It was always so much fun to sit outside and watch the reaction of all the kids.

[MontanaMama]

14. Awww thanks.

That’s the goal! Keep kids outside, running together and in the neighborhood and not at the mall!

[SamKnause]

13. It is also my favorite holiday.

I love the decorations.

I keep my up year round in my house.

I have 4 pumpkins that light up, skulls, a snarling rabid dog, 6 ft. zombie butler that talks, moves and breaths,

2 skeletons that light up, talk, and shake, Frankenstein head that lights up and talks, Halloween candles, Big Head witch

and Frankenstein that hangs on the wall, skeleton that dances and plays guitar, rope lights that are orange

and black, and a witch mask with long black hair that hangs on the wall.

I love Halloween !

[MontanaMama]

15. Now you're talking!

I have certain things I keep up in the house year round too. I have a decent collection of Halloween items from the 30’s and 40’s. It’s just too cool to put away.

‘It’s the Season Of The Witch! I love it too. 🧹

[SamKnause]

17. Glad to hear I am no alone.

[Niagara]

16. Halloween is my favorite holiday hands down.

Last edited Mon Sep 7, 2020, 05:29 PM - Edit history (1)

I live for Halloween and I think about it all year round.





My original plan for this year was to put up a clothesline type of fence at waist level near the sidewalk. Hang bagged treats on S hooks on the clothesline fence and let the kids pick what treat bag that they want. Of course it would have to be an honor system with 1 treat bag per child. The treat bags would include a nice bundle of candy loot.




I won't be home this year for Halloween since my daughter is getting married and I have to travel. So this year I won't passing out candy and perhaps next year will be a much better year for everyone.